House officer for Forensic Centre

On Thursday, Lewis summoned forensic pathologists Alexandrov and des Vignes as well as head of the Centre, Arlett Lewis and other stakeholders to a meeting at the National Security Ministry in Port of Spain.

The meeting was called to deal with concerns over no pathologist being based in Tobago as well as a shortage of mortuary attendants at the Centre.

During the meeting, Alexandrov suggested he perform autopsies in Tobago when the need arises and when he is in the sister isle, des Vignes be instructed to carry out duties at the Centre.

The suggestion was noted but no firm decision was made by the permanent secretary.

Newsday understands that a decision taken was to have pathologist Dr Eslyn McDonald- Burris be given a contract from September to carry out autopsies twice per week.

That contract will also enable her to carry out autopsies in Tobago whenever she is rostered to work and if autopsies are required in the sister island.

Dr McDonald-Burris’ contract came to an end in June and she is currently on vacation.

There are only two pathologists carrying out autopsies at the Centre and the permanent secretary also took a decision to have a house officer added to the staff so autopsies can be done on people who have died of natural causes.

Up until yesterday, Alexandrov who is the only person described as a ‘forensic pathologist’ by the Medical Board of TT, carried out 180 autopsies for this year. Out of that 180, 95 were autopsies labeled as prosecution murders.

Under the current workload at the Centre, des Vignes and Alexandrov are rostered on a one week on, one week off basis.